Lafayette

Home to over 24,000 people, Lafayette, Colorado is a lush residential community located east of Boulder. Lafayette real estate is provided with the serene Waneka Lake and a panoramic view of the Rocky Mountains. Recreation can be found in the 14 neighborhood parks and the Indian Peaks Golf Course – designed by three-time U.S. Open winner Hale Irwin. Lafayette is served with an award-winning middle school, day-care and preschools, and a K-12 charter school.

Learn More About the Lafayette Community

The city of Lafayette was founded by Mary Miller and her husband Lafayette Miller in 1878. The land was initially used for their farming purposes which they acquired through the Homestead Act of 1871. However, they did not stay in the area long, for three years later the family moved to Boulder where Lafayette owned and operated a butcher shop. Upon his death in 1878 his wife and six children moved back to their initial farmland. A few years later coal was discovered on their land and in 1887 the first mine shaft was opened. This brought in the era of coal mining. One year later Mary allocated 150 acres to be set aside for the town of Lafayette, named for her late husband.

By 1914 Lafayette was leading the coal-mining industry and had become a city large enough to accommodate four hotels, two river banks, and brickworks. This industry survived two strikes and almost 40 years, but began to decline in the 1950s due to natural gas becoming prominent and replacing coal as a fuel. It was in this decade that present-day Lafayette defined itself. Its population grew alongside the populations of Denver and Boulder, and its farming industry became small industrial, commercial, and manufacturing.

Centaurus High School

With a focus on Engineering and International Baccalaureate studies, Centaurus High School in Lafayette offers rigorous academics built on high standards. Centaurus High School’s Engineering Academy prepares students for admission to college-level engineering programs. The school also offers International Baccalaureate studies as well as Advanced Placement and Honors classes. In addition to comprehensive academics, Centaurus also has an excellent fine and practical arts program as well as many extra-curricular activities and sports.

Peak to Peak Charter School

Known for its college preparatory curriculum, Lafayette’s K-12 Peak to Peak Charter School’s focus is on high academic achievement and community responsibility. The school’s Core Knowledge elementary program is nationally recognized and prepares students for advanced courses at the middle and high school level. Peak to Peak offers Advanced Placement courses and exams, as well as the CU Succeed Gold program that allows students to take college-level coursework from CU professors. Students are required to perform community service in an effort to promote responsibility and leadership.

Angevine Middle School

Angevine Middle School in Lafayette takes pride in focusing on the whole student as a lifelong learner. Academic achievement is primary through Angevine’s diverse and challenging curriculum. Pre-engineering courses are available as well as an excellent arts and music program. Angevine encourages 21st century skills by implementing technology in the classroom. AMS is an inclusive middle school, allowing special needs students to participate in the regular classroom in addition to individual support. Gifted and talented students are provided challenging opportunities.

Lafayette Elementary School

Since its doors opened in the 1960’s, Lafayette Elementary continues to be a safe and nurturing school that focuses on every child as a unique individual. Programs are built around a solid standards-based curriculum and expand into a diverse enrichment program that includes music, arts and physical education. The school encourages social growth through anti-bullying programs, class buddies and character education.

Escuela Bilingüe Pioneer Elementary

At Lafayette’s Escuela Bilingüe Pioneer Elementary, students learn both Spanish and English in a bilingual, multicultural learning environment. Half of the students in the school are Spanish speakers while half are English speakers. A dual immersion program, students learn to read and write in their own first language and also take courses to learn the second language throughout the elementary school years. The school follows BVSD standards and offers a challenging core curriculum.

Ryan Elementary School

Students at Ryan Elementary School in Lafayette are provided a strong and challenging curriculum, as well as extended program opportunities in Engineering, Technology, Arts, Science and Math. Technology is incorporated into every classroom in order to prepare students for the 21st century. Special features include a hands-on outdoor science classroom and an outdoor learning garden. The school collaborates with partners in the community to give unique
opportunities to all students.

Alicia Sanchez International School

Lafayette’s Alicia Sanchez International Elementary School provides students with a comprehensive curriculum and a nurturing and supportive environment. The school is an International Baccalaureate candidate, and expectations are high for students to excel in reading, writing and math. Students are given extra support in these areas as well as in the arts, sciences and humanities.

Art on the Street

Lafayette has the largest art on loan sculpture walk in Boudler Country. This program has become an essential part of this community. Come enjoy Art Night Out on the 3rd Friday, May-September, for breathtaking art, music & community. The heArt Walk map can be picked up at the Lafayette Recreation Center. The map includes a two mile walk through Old Town to view all 16 of the sculptures placed around town. There is no better way to experience art than with your communtiy.

Peach Festival

Lafayette’s annual Peach Festival is a free event featuring live music, children’s entertainment, face painting and, of course, peaches! Thousands of fresh Palisade peaches, as well as peach pie, peach cobbler, and peach smoothies are available throughout the festival. Located in Old Town Lafayette, the festival includes art, craft and food vendors as well as a local farmer’s market.

Lafayette Quaker Oatmeal Festival

Lafayette’s one of a kind Quaker Oatmeal Festival was created to encourage a healthy lifestyle. This family friendly event includes a 5K run as well as a health fair complete with screenings, discounted lab tests and many other services that promote physical well being. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is on site to provide unique educational activities for children. Bonfil’s Blood Center hosts a community blood drive during the event. The festival, sponsored by Quaker as well as other local businesses, also holds an oatmeal baking contest.

Historic Homes

Numerous homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s can still be found in Lafayette. The city is interested in preserving its rich heritage and many of these homes have been designated historic landmarks.

Miners Museum

A tribute to Lafayette’s rich history, the Miners Museum contains artifacts and photos that tell the story of Lafayette through the years. Exhibits highlight Lafayette’s pioneer years and subsequent coal mining era all the way to present day. The Miners Museum is located in a historic miners home on East Simpson Avenue.

Bob L. Burger Recreation Center

With a variety of fitness and recreation amenities, the Bob L. Burger Recreation Center offers activities for all ages. The facility includes an indoor track, pool, aerobics room, racquetball courts, childcare and more at an affordable price. In addition, the center maintains outdoor amenities including sports complexes as well as an inline skating rink. Sports programs, seniors programs and camps are also offered.

Lafayette Public Library

The Lafayette Public Library offers a vast collection of books for every age and interest. Children’s programs, teen programs, homework help and adult reading groups are just a few of the special programs available to the public. Library members also have access to an online database complete with magazine articles, downloadable books and music.

Indian Peaks Golf Course

The 18 hole Indian Peaks Golf Course was designed by Hale Irwin to challenge golfers of all skill levels by offering four sets of tees. In addition to the full course, a driving range, chipping and practice greens are also available. Indian Peaks Golf Course offers leagues for men and women as well as golf instruction.

Home to over 24,000 people, Lafayette, Colorado is a lush residential community located east of Boulder. Lafayette real estate is provided with the serene Waneka Lake and a panoramic view of the Rocky Mountains. Recreation can be found in the 14 neighborhood parks and the Indian Peaks Golf Course – designed by three-time U.S. Open winner Hale Irwin. Lafayette is served with an award-winning middle school, day-care and preschools, and a K-12 charter school.